Gordon Backlund
{{Short description|American politician and electrical engineer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Gordon Backclund
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|November 11, 1940}}
| birth_place = Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
| office = Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
| term_start = 1985
| term_end = 1986
| education = University of Minnesota (BS)
University of Iowa (MPA)
| relations = Kate Knuth (niece)
| party = Republican
}}
Gordon Backlund (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and former engineer who served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1985 to 1986.
Early life and education
Backlund was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Two Harbors High School in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Backlund received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Iowa.
Career
Backlund worked for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1985 and 1986 and was a Republican. In 1989, Backlund served on the Fridley School Board.Spencer, Adam - [https://www.twincities.com/2009/10/21/3-school-board-incumbents-face-challenger-in-sturdevant/ 3 school board incumbents face challenger in Sturdevant] St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 21, 2009
Personal life
Backlund lived in Fridley, Minnesota. Backlund and his wife, Linda, had two children.Mark Backlund Obituary. St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 18, 2008. His son, Mark, died in January 2008, at age 29, after a traffic accident.John Brewer - [https://www.twincities.com/2008/01/17/taser-victims-family-is-left-to-wonder/ Taser victim’s family is left to wonder] St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 17, 2008 Mark was tasered by Minnesota State Patrol troopers after being "uncooperative and combative." State troopers were cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.Pat Pheifer - [https://www.startribune.com/may-5-troopers-cleared-in-tasered-fridley-man-s-death/18667699/ Troopers cleared in Tasered Fridley man's death] Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 8, 2008 quote:"Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said the State Patrol acted appropriately to subdue Mark Backlund in January and a " Taser was a nonfactor"; an autopsy concluded that he died of drug abuse."
His brother-in-law, Daniel Knuth, and his niece, Kate Knuth, also served in the Minnesota Legislature.[https://www.leg.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=10025 Minnesota Legislators Past & Present-Gordon Backlund][http://www.fridleyschools.org/uploaded/Communications/Bulletin/FPS_BULLETIN_-_DEC.2013.pdf Fridley Public Schools District Bulletin, Fridley, Minnesota, December 2013, vol. 48, issue 1, pg.6, School board member named to Fridley Hall of Fame]
Notes
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Backlund, Gordon}}
Category:People from Fridley, Minnesota
Category:Politicians from Saint Paul, Minnesota
Category:American electrical engineers
Category:University of Iowa alumni
Category:University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering alumni
Category:School board members in Minnesota
Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Category:20th-century members of the Minnesota Legislature
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